Pacers’ Vogel grateful he was considered for Rockets’ job

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Pacers coach Frank Vogel finished last season as Indiana’s interim coach but with no assurances he would get the position. He interviewed for the Rockets job, spending two days in Houston.

Vogel, 38, had dinner with Rockets owner Leslie Alexander and much of the Rockets staff before a seven-hour session with general manager Daryl Morey the next day. He got the Pacers job July 6.

“There was no guarantee I was going to get the Pacers job,” Vogel said. “If I wasn’t going to get it, I was certainly going to look at this opportunity here.

“It’s a great organization. For somebody like me … to have this opportunity, to have this job and strong interest from other teams as well was quite an honor.”
Camby steps in, steps up

Marcus Camby got his second start with the Rockets, a game after he stepped in for Samuel Dalembert, who was playing with flu-like symptoms. Dalembert was healthy Sunday, but coach Kevin McHale stuck with Camby, citing his defense and influence.

“He brings a nice presence to the whole team,” McHale said. “He’s a very savvy defender and does a good job.”

Rockets guard Kevin Martin said he hopes that if therapy on his shoulder goes well, he will be able to get his first contact practices this week. Martin has not played since March 11 because of a torn right shoulder.

“I have to keep getting treatment the next few days,” Martin said. “But I’d like to get some contact this week.”

Monday night: Rockets at BullsWhen/where: 7 p.m.; United Center, Chicago.TV/radio: FSH, NBA-TV; 610 AM, 850 AM (Spanish).Players to watchRockets G Goran Dragic. Dragic has been sensational as a Rockets starter and will not have to go against Derrick Rose, allowing him to put more energy in the second half of a back-to-back.Bulls C Joakim Noah. Though he struggled Sunday, Noah keys one of the league’s best defensive and rebounding teams.Rockets (28-25) update: The Rockets dropped into eighth place with the loss to the Pacers on Sunday. They are 1-9 when playing the second half of a back-to-back on the road. They have a three-game road losing streak and are 8-17 on the road this season.Bulls (42-12) update: The Bulls were blown out in Oklahoma City on Sunday but had won 17 of their previous 20 games, despite playing most of those games without Derrick Rose and Rip Hamilton. Rose is out, but Hamilton could return Monday night. The Bulls became the first team to clinch a playoff berth this season.By the numbers: 85 — Games since the Bulls have lost twice in a row, matching the second-longest streak in NBA history.